Multi-channel structurally robust brain probe and method of making the same

• US 20020198446A1
• Filed: 06/21/2001
• Published: 12/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Microhelix, Inc. (CarePayment Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Swanson, John W., Hill, Norman M., Hadjicostis, Andreas N.
• Granted Patent: US 6,560,472 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/378
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/685 Microneedles
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0529 Electrodes for brain stimulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 Manufacturing circuit on or in base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49156 with selective destruction of conductive paths
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49165 by forming conductive walled aperture in base

Abstract

A bio-probe having a base and a tip, and comprising a core of substantially rigid, high-strength material, said core tapering inwardly from the base to the tip and a set of conductors extending longitudinally about said core. In addition, dielectric material, substantially electrically isolates each conductor from its surroundings. Also, a set of apertures is defined by the dielectric material to the set of conductors, thereby defining a set of electrodes.

Claims

1. A bio-probe having a base and a tip, and comprising:

(a) a core of substantially rigid, high-strength material, said core tapering inwardly from said base to said tip;

(b) a set of conductors extending longitudinally about said core;

(c) dielectric material, substantially electrically isolating each said conductor from its surroundings; and

(d) a set of apertures through said dielectric material to said set of conductors, thereby defining a set of electrodes.

2. The bio-probe of claim 1, wherein said dielectric material is divided into a first layer of dielectric material and a second layer of dielectric material and wherein said first layer of dielectric material is deposited directly upon said core.

3. The bio-probe of claim 1, wherein said second layer of dielectric material is made of epoxy resin.

4. The bio-probe of claim 2, wherein said set of conductors are made from conductive material that is deposited directly upon said first layer of dielectric material.

5. The bio-probe of claim 4, wherein each conductor of said set of conductors is roughly rectangular in cross section and is each more than three times as wide as it is thick and is substantially conformal over said first layer of dielectric material.

6. The bio-probe of claim 4, wherein each pair of conductors of said set of conductors is mutually separated by a trench running longitudinally along the length of said bio-probe.

7. The bio-probe of claim 1, wherein said core is comprised of tungsten.

8. The bio-probe of claim 1, wherein said apertures are filled with conductive material.

9. The bio-probe of claim 1, wherein said dielectric material has an exterior surface and said apertures are filled with conductive material that extends onto and beyond said exterior surface of said dielectric material.

10. The bio-probe of claim 1, wherein said core, said set of conductors and said dielectric material form a first portion that has a base and further including a second portion having a tip and a base and wherein said tip of said second portion is adapted to attach to said base of said first portion.

11. A method of producing a bio-probe, comprising:

(a) providing a tapering core of substantially rigid material, said core having a base and a tip;

(b) substantially coating said core with dielectric material;

(c) substantially coating said dielectric material with a first layer of conductive material;

(d) dividing said conductive material into longitudinal traces, extending from said base, to a region close to said tip;

(e) coating said conductive material with a second layer of dielectric material; and

(f) removing portions of said second layer of dielectric material to form apertures to said conductive material, thereby forming electrodes.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein step (c) more specifically comprises vacuum depositing said conductive material.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein (d) more specifically comprises using a laser to divide said conductive material into longitudinal traces.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said laser is an ND:

YAG laser.

15. A bio-probe assembly for measuring bio-electrical signals, comprising:

(a) a probe portion having a distal end and a proximal end and a set of electrodes at said distal end for detecting said bio-electrical signals, each electrode being connected to a longitudinal conductor, extending to said proximal end; and

(b) a set of substantially identical amplifier circuit cards connected to said longitudinal conductors, so that each said bio-electrical signal is amplified in substantially the same manner.